Russia's 12.2 Million Worker Crisis Sparks Training Push Over Migrant Labour
Russia is facing a major labour shortage, with officials warning that 12.2 million workers will need replacing over the next seven years. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has urged a focus on training domestic professionals rather than relying on migrant labour to fill the gap.
The call comes as the country's unemployment rate hits a record low of 2.2%, leaving many sectors struggling to find staff.
In December 2025, Labour Minister Anton Kotyakov revealed that Russia must replace 11.7 million retiring workers by 2032. Another 500,000 jobs will be created during this period, adding to the demand. Foreign workers currently make up 13–15% of the construction industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors.
Volodin criticised the idea of solving shortages by importing more migrant labour. He warned that taking the 'easy path'—as some European countries have done—could lead to long-term problems. Instead, he pushed for better training programmes and higher productivity to fill vacancies. The government has already tightened migration rules, passing 22 federal laws to regulate the process. New measures include mandatory Russian language tests for migrant children in schools and proposed health checks for incoming workers. However, no recent data shows how these changes have affected foreign worker numbers in construction compared to other industries. Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina linked the shortage to Russia's historically low unemployment. With only 2.2% of the workforce jobless, businesses are finding it harder to recruit. The discussions took place during a Ministry of Construction meeting on labour shortages and stricter migration policies.
The government now faces the challenge of replacing millions of workers while balancing migration controls. Training domestic staff and improving productivity are seen as key solutions. Without action, industries like construction could struggle to meet demand in the coming years.
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